Communication is Key by Kaden

Communication is Key by Kaden - January 2022 Scholarship Essay

In 2021, I started my first real job working in guest services and food running for a local bowling alley, KingPins in Beaverton, Oregon. Before starting this job, I had traits in my communication style much like an introvert. I was not great at advocating for myself at school, I much preferred to let my parents do it for me. I did not like talking to new people or doing simple tasks like ordering food or knocking on neighbors’ doors. The year of 2021 was certainly a growth year for me in my communication skills and I have seen huge growth in terms of my academics because of this growth. Not only am I now advocating for myself at school, but I am using my skills for my senior project in my high school, my college discovery and entrance necessities, scholarship writing and videos, and promotional opportunities at work to help with my financial success and saving for college. I am extremely grateful for my growth in my communication skills and plan to continue to build these skills as I have seen firsthand the value it is bringing to me in various avenues of my life including my academics.
Looking for my first real job was scary. I did not like talking to new people, so the interview process was uncomfortable for me to say the least. I got very luck in getting my job, as entertainment facilities just started to open after the pandemic closures, so jobs were plentiful, and positions needed to be filled. I was able to secure a position in guest services for a local bowling alley. This position requires me to help customers with different needs that may arise during their visit as well as bus the tables. Both tasks require me to speak with strangers that are the bowling alley guests, working on my communication skills. While uncomfortable at first, it quickly became a skill that I realized was not as scary as it seemed. As the months went on, it was clear that people are friendly and the better I communicated with them, the better the employee and customer relationship was. I decided to lean into this skill, and it has really paid off. As of November, I received a promotion and moved to working as a food runner alongside my guest service role. To be a food runner, you must also talk with customers or people would not get their correct orders. Communication is very important in most roles at this company and will be needed for me to continue to move up.
Learning to be comfortable communicating with people has made a big difference in my academics as well. I am now willing to talk with my teachers more and advocate for myself in terms of my assignments, grades, seating arrangements, etc. I have felt more comfortable asking for what I want or need with my counselor for schedule changes and recommendation letters for scholarships. I have chosen to do my senior project in the form of a presentation to Freshman. As you wind down your senior year of high school, there are a lot of tasks that require communication skills, and I finally have these skills and can be successful. In addition to being successful in high school, I have also used this skill as I approach college. I have talked with admission counselor at my chosen college, The University of Oregon. I also showed up for the open house day at the college, attending numerous presentations, and asking questions which I never would have done previously. This skill will take me far as I need to communicate with people especially as I move out of my parent’s house and enter college 2 hours away.
I am very pleased with my communication growth this last year in both my academics and my job. You are never too old to work on skills and leaning into the learning process can prove to be quite valuable. For me this growth year around my communication is really going to set me up for success as I move onto my college experience. I look forward to seeing how I continue to progress in this area of my life and look forward to what is to come.